#HondaFitHybrid

Honda has announced that its all-new Fit Hybrid will boast a 35 percent bump in fuel economy compared to its current lineup of 1.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid powertains offered in cars like the CR-Z and Civic Hybrid.

First announced as part of the upcoming Acura NSX and RLX, Honda is developing a three-stage hybrid rollout strategy that will include applications specifically targeted to premium, mid-size and compact models.

As a part of its new Earth Dreams powertrain rollout, Honda has announced a new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid mated to a dual-clutch transmission that it believes will deliver segment-leading fuel economy while retaining the brand’s core fun-to-drive quality.

Sales of Honda’s sub-compact Fit will more than triple once a new model arrives for 2014 says company president Takanobu Ito.

It’s amazing to think that it’s been 12 years since Honda introduced its first hybrid vehicle – the first generation Insight – to the world. Back in November 1999, the Insight was a peculiar hybrid but still boasted the world’s highest fuel economy among all gasoline-powered vehicles.

We may not be seeing Honda’s 2011 Honda Jazz/Fit hybrid over here in North American any time soon, but it doesn’t mean we won’t uncross our fingers. And now we’re even more excited – that’s because it has launched in Japan for 1.59 million yen ($19,310 U.S.), making it the cheapest gas-electric car available in Japan.

Thanks to a 2011 Honda Fit dealer brochure obtained by TempleofVtec, we now have some insight into what might be coming for the 2012 Honda Fit. With the second-gen model launching in 2009, by 2012 the car is due or a refresh and its likely to get some of the new items and upgrades currently being rolled out in Japan.

Honda has unveiled their Jazz Hybrid, which is sold as the Fit here in North America. We won’t be getting the Fit Hybrid in our part of the world, but it doesn’t look like we’re missing out on much.

With mileage comparable to a CR-Z, and a nearly $5,000 premium over a regular Fit, the car is hardly a value proposition. In fact, we’d wager that the only real benefit is that buying one will entitle Japanese market customers to take advantage of generous subsidies offered by the government on hybrid cars. But never say never.

The Fit Hybrid will debut at the Paris Auto Show in September.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Gallery: Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda will launch the Fit Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show this Fall, expanding the Japanese automaker’s hybrid lineup down-market. The new model will be the first hybrid sub-compact model offered and is possible because of Honda’s low-cost Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid setup.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has given a look at the direction Honda will be taking in the coming years, putting strong emphasis on small cars and hybrids. At his annual mid-year speech, Ito gave a rough outline of the Japanese automaker’s future direction, while dropping a few important notes about new products.